DNA reveals dead mountain lion’s originLITTLE ROCK — A mountain lion that was killed in November by a deer hunter east of Hermitage in Bradley County is almost certainly the same mountain lion that was sighted in southern Marion County in September. In this case, the probability of these two mountain lions with the same genetic profile is one in 182 trillion. AGFC biologists received the DNA results this week from the Wildlife Genetics Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. The DNA revea...

State MVP Allen to play soccer at WWURussellville High School graduate Taylor Allen earned a Class 6A State Tournament MVP nod after scoring both Russellville’s goals during the Cyclones’ 2-1 state championship victory over the Siloam Springs Panthers on May 23 at Razorback Field. But Allen said he’s “pretty much” over it. He’s ready to move on to the next phase of his life — college, specifically, over 2,000 miles away at Western Washington University (WWU). His goals in Russell...

Game and Fish Notebook (June 13, 2015)DNA reveals dead mountain lion’s origin LITTLE ROCK – A mountain lion that was killed in November by a deer hunter east of Hermitage in Bradley County is almost certainly the same mountain lion that was sighted in southern Marion County in September. In this case, the probability of these two mountain lions with the same genetic profile is one in 182 trillion. AGFC biologists received the DNA results this week from the Wildlife Genetics Labora...

Razorbacks fail to convert chances in 5-3 loss to VirginiaOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Arkansas had no problem getting runners on base. Getting them home was another matter. Andrew Benintendi hit his nation-leading 20th home run to tie the game in the fifth inning, but the Razorbacks didn't score again in a 5-3 loss to Virginia in the College World Series opener on Saturday. "We didn't punch them in, and they did," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "That was the difference in the game." The Hogs (40-24), in t...

Big Bass Bonanza rescheduled for July 17-19LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza, the state’s largest amateur big bass tournament, has been rescheduled for the weekend of July 17-19, tournament officials announced today, citing excessive water flows on the Arkansas River. The three-day tournament, originally scheduled for June 26-28, has been rescheduled for the July weekend following heavy rains that have made conditions on the Arkansas River potentially hazardous for small wate...

Hogs remain in top 25 for spring sportsFAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas has maintained its top-25 national ranking in the most recent spring standings for the 2014-15 Learfield Sports Directors Cup. The Directors Cup is a competition that tracks the nation’s most successful intercollegiate athletics programs for their athletic performances throughout the year. The spring standings include scoring for fall and winter sports as well as points for men’s and women’s golf, lacr...

Dramatic Arkansas returns to CWSFAYETTEVILLE — When Arkansas was at its lowest this season, the opportunity to play every day was exactly the medicine it needed. The result was a sudden and shocking turnaround that led to the Razorbacks’ fourth appearance in the College World Series in 13 seasons under coach Dave Van Horn. Arkansas (41-23) opens play in Omaha on Saturday against Virginia (39-22), the same team that eliminated the Razorbacks in regional NCAA play last season....

Arkansas' Benintendi named college baseball Player of Year FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — University of Arkansas outfielder Andrew Benintendi has been named college baseball's Player of the Year by Baseball America. Benintendi's selection by Baseball America was announced Thursday and comes after he was named Collegiate Baseball's Player of the Year on May 28. He was previously named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and is a finalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy...

Surtevall earns spot as academic All-AmericaAUSTIN, Texas — Arkansas Tech senior golfer Rebecka Surtevall added another feather to her cap on Wednesday, as the senior was a second-team selection to the Capital One Academic All-America Division II Women’s At-Large Team. Surtevall recently concluded her athletic career at Arkansas Tech, and along the way was named GAC Player of the Year four times and All-America three times (one honorable mention, two first team). She led the Golden Suns...

by
ATU Athletic CommunicationsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Barker scores Barker during Post 20 winCABOT — Jacob Barker’s RBI double to score his younger brother Joel Barker gave the Russellville American Legion Post 20 Patriots the go-ahead run in the ninth inning of their 7-3 win over Cabot on Tuesday. The game, which was scheduled for seven innings, was pushed to nine innings when Barker again scored Barker to tie the game at 3. The win was the Patriots’ second straight, after opening the season 1-2. “We’re starting to get a little chemi...

Cyclones hire two new coachesThe Russellville School Board called a special meeting Tuesday and hired two new coaches — one of which should be quite a familiar name to longtime Cyclones baseball fans. The school board voted to hire Will McCrotty as head baseball coach and Matt Hall as head basketball coach. McCrotty is the son of Denny McCrotty, who coached the Cyclones baseball team throughout the 1980s. Denny is credited for restarting the Russellville baseball program ...

RHS volleyball says goodbye to ‘biggest fan’There’ll be an empty seat inside Russellville High School’s new gymnasium when the Lady Cyclones volleyball team embarks on their 2015 season — one that can’t properly be filled even if someone were to choose to sit in it. It’s the seat that Lady Cyclones head coach Cindy Jones’ mother, Shirley Helton, has sat in since 2000. At the old gymnasium it was somewhere behind the Lady Cyclones bench and the scorekeepers’ table. Helton died on June 3,...

In Their Voice: Kindrick reflects on senior year, future at Alabama“God has a plan. God has a plan.” Those are the words people kept telling me, and I kept reminding myself my senior year. With plans of returning to the Class 6A state softball finals and having a senior softball season everyone always hopes for, a quick injury can change things real quick. Our softball season begins when it’s football season. We all held high expectations of the season and were working day-in and day-out to reach our dreams. ...

Applications for alligator hunt permits soon available onlineLITTLE ROCK — Arkansas alligator hunting is a unique activity, not for the timid or faint of heart. It also is an important management strategy for wildlife biologists and game managers because it helps keep populations of alligators within desired numbers. The hunting is on both public and private lands in south Arkansas, and permits specify where the hunter can seek a gator. Arkansas hunters can apply for alligator hunting permits for the 20...

The ultimate backyard hunting challengeJONESBORO — I’ve always enjoyed a challenge. That’s probably why I love to bowhunt. Deer are smart animals and getting within a few yards of them is no easy feat. I’ve recently come across a challenge of a different sort that makes killing deer with a bow seem almost easy. I’ve been hunting this creature for quite a while now. I’ve seen his tracks, seen where he’s living, where he’s eating, and where he’s obviously sleeping. I have yet to lay ...

High river flows look to benefit local fishermenOnce again, high river flows all along the Arkansas River are having an impact on fishing locally and all along the Arkansas River. Which in turn means Lake Dardanelle may once again be the beneficiary. We are very fortunate to have Lake Dardanelle and its stability on the west side of the dam. If you have not had a chance to get out and look at the water going through the lock and dam, I highly suggest you make it a point as water levels are ...

Maxwell Memorial tournament a successDANVILLE — More than 100 eager golfers appeared at the Chamberlyn Country Club for the 2015 Lt. Stan Maxwell Swinging for a Cure Memorial Golf Tournament on May 30. The golfers played through the early parts of the tournament despite rainy weather and a wet course. Before the opening tee, Pope County Sheriff Shane Jones sang the National Anthem. Afterward, instructions were given for a shotgun start the the participants were off. At the conclu...